System for exchanging and storing window-display posters

ABSTRACT

A system for exchanging and storing window-display posters (1-6) has two storage areas (11,12) in which the posters are movably stored perpendicularly to their surfaces. Transport of the window-display posters between the storage zones is effected through two planes that border on the storage zones. At least one of the planes is arranged for displaying several posters. A conveyor is provided for carrying the posters into and out of the planes, as well as for guiding the posters within the planes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a system according to the main claim.

Large window-display posters are frequently installed in conspicuousplaces, particularly for advertising purposes. In such cases, it isadvantageous to change the information on the posters, both to attractmore attention and to be able to display more information on a givenarea.

STATE OF THE ART

Various systems are already known, e.g. trom German Pat. No. 500 558 and26 15 541 for transporting continuously exchangeable advertising means,such as e.g. glass show cases and windows. However, these systems arefirstly very complicated and secondly are not suitable for storing alarge number of display posters.

In addition, systems are known (GB-A-O 468 947, FR A-1 090 604, U.S.-A2,016,748, FR-A-1 055 291), in which the display posters are transportedfrom display planes into storage zones and vice versa. These systems areon the one hand very complicated and on the other only suitable for agiven number of display posters. Thus, for example, in the systemaccording to the British Patent, there are two storage zones and onedisplay plane. By means of a revolving chain, one display poster istransported within the display plane from the left-hand to theright-hand storage zone and then on the back of the system a displayposter is transported from the right-hand to the left-hand storage zone.This requires an uneven number of display posters , so that in each caseone storage zone is completely filled, whereas one display poster ismissing in the other storage zone. In addition, only the two frontdisplay posters located in the single display plane in the BritishPatent form a plane, so that it can only be used for a joint displaywith double format. The rear display posters in the storage zonesaccording to the British Patent are located in two different planes, sothat it is not possible to use the back as a display plane for twojuxtaposed display posters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventive system with the characterizing features of the main claimhas the advantage compared therewith that, as a function of the detaileddesign, it is possible to store a varying number of window-displayposters, without any need for complicated means for transporting theposters within the storage zones. It is a further advantage that in theinventive system two display posters are juxtaposed in the displayplanes, even if the storage zones are not completely filled withposters. The display posters can have different pictorialrepresentations or displays, but are also suitable for displayingthree-dimensional objects.

The measures given in the subclaims permit advantageous furtherdevelopments and improvements to the invention given in the main claim.

In particular, according to a further development means are provided,which during the movement of in each case one window-display posterwithin the display plane, a further poster located in the display planeis moved into the storage zone. This makes it possible in a particularlysimple way . . .

According to a further development for transporting the window-displayposters into or out of the planes and for guiding them during movementwithin the planes, rotary rails with a cruciform cross-section areprovided.

As a result of the measures given in the further subclaims, furtheradvantageous developments and improvements to the invention arepossible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative tonon-limitative embodiments and the attached drawings, wherein show:

FIG. 1 a view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 a first system for transporting window-display posters within adisplay plane.

FIG. 3 a further system for transporting the window-display posterswithin the display plane.

FIG. 4 a view and a plan view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 part of the second embodiment on a larger scale and again in twoviews.

FIG. 6 a diagrammatic view of another embodiment.

FIG. 7 a detail of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 a detail of a rail.

FIG. 9 a guide element for a window-display poster.

FIG. 10 another example for an inventive system in diagrammatic form.

The same parts are given the same reference numerals throughout thedrawings.

In the system according to FIG. 1 there are numerous window-displayposters, whereof only six posters 1 to 6 are shown, being mounted in aframe 7. The window-display posters are in each case provided on theirupper and lower edges 8,9 with leaf springs 10. If there is a sufficientnumber of display posters in the storage zone 11,12 the leaf springs arecompressed. This on the one hand permits the transport of the displayposters within the storage zones 11,12 and on the other hand onexchanging the display posters, one display poster can be inserted intothe storage zone before on the other side a display poster has left saidzone.

Placards can be stuck onto one or both sides of the window-displayposters and preferably the placards stuck onto the two display postersin the display plane together provide a picture. As a function of thedesign of the individual display posters it is possible to observe theinventive system from one or both the directions indicated by thearrows. Rails 13,14,15,16 are provided for the movable storage of thewindow-display posters.

In the case of a first embodiment, the exchange of the window-displayposters takes place with the system shown in FIG. 2, provided on the onehand at the top and on the other at the bottom in the center of thedisplay planes of the system according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2a is a view inthe direction of arrow A (FIG. 1), roller 23 and in part pinion 26 beingsectioned. FIG. 2b is a cross-section at line B--B in FIG. 2a, butduring a subsequent movement phase. The plan view of FIG. 2c essentiallyshows the pinion 26 and roller 23 in two movement phases.

Each of the window-display posters is provided at the upper edge with aledge or strip 20, which on both sides carries a rack 21,22 and at eachof the two ends a roller, whereof in FIG. 2 only roller 23 of displayposter 6 and roller 24 of display poster 1 are shown. Within the storagezones, the rollers roll on rails 13 to 16 (FIG. 1), whereof rails 14,15are shown in FIG. 2c.

A pinion 26 driven by means of a shaft 25 is located in the same planeas rail 14,15. A further rail 19 forms a termination and guides the

FIG. 3a shows a further system for transporting window-display posterswithin a display plane from the direction indicated by the arrow D inFIG. 1, FIG. 3b showing the same system from another side. The displayposters 41,42,43 etc., are provided on their upper edge with in eachcase one rack 51,52,53 etc. A rotary disk 60 with four slots 61,62,63,64is rotatably mounted about a shaft 65. The slots contain pinions71,72,73,74 with in each case one radial tooth system and one conicaltooth system, the latter engaging in a bevel gear 75 mounted on shaft65. The mounting of pinions 71 to 74 takes place by means of pinsinserted in corresponding bores of rotary disk 60, only one pin 76 beingshown. Bevel gear 75 is located in non-rotating manner on shaft 65, sothat it serves as a driving shaft for the bevel gear 75. Further detailsof the drive, particularly the intermittent drive of the rotary disk 60are not shown in the drawing, because they can be realized with meansalready available to the Expert.

The window-display poster 41 located at the considered time in thedisplay plane projects into slot 61 of rotary disk 60, so that rack 51engages with pinion 71. Through the rotation of pinion 71 via bevel gear75 and shaft 65 the window-display poster 51 is moved in the directionof the arrow. Once the display poster 41 leaves slot 61, display poster42 is pressed by the tension of springs 10 in the direction of thedisplay plane. However, display poster 42 can only enter the displayplane when the slot 62 has reached the upper edge of display poster 42and has received the latter. The rack 52 then engages with pinion 72, sothat the window-display poster 42 is moved in the direction of thearrow, this process being continuously repeated.

The system according to FIG. 4 is extended compared with that of FIG. 1in that in each case on one side of the display plane springs 124, 125are provided, which compress the plates in the display planes.

For the movable mounting of the window-display posters rails 13,14,15,16 are provided, which engage in the corresponding grooves 17 of thedisplay posters. The display posters are provided on their upper andlower edges with in each case two pins 18, which are used fortransporting the display posters. On a chain 119 revolving in thedirection of the arrow are provided displacing and driving elements121,120, whose precise function will be explained in conjunction withFIG. 5. The revolving chain 119 is driven with the aid of a motor and agear, which are not shown in the drawing, via one of the pinions 122. Achain tightener 123 is also provided.

FIG. 5 shows part of the system of FIG. 4 on a larger scale So that thedisplacing element 121 does not necessarily contact the pins 18 ofwindow-display poster 6 and therefore press back the latter, a U-rail126, which guides chain 119, is shaped in such a way that the spacingbetween chain and display poster 6 or its pins is larger than thegreatest width of the displacing element 121. Only at pin 18 of displayposter 1 is the spacing between chain 111 and the display postersufficiently small to enable the displacing element 121 to press thedisplay poster 1 into the storage zone 11 and therefore space isprovided for the display poster 6 which has in the mean time been movedby driving element 120. The bevels 127,128 of the display posters bringabout a further displacement or deflection of the display poster 1 whichhas only been partly displaced by displacing element 121. The displayposters can also be constructed in such a way that there is no need fora displacement thereof by means of displacing elements 121.

If the window-display poster 6 moved by the driving element 120 hasreached the left-hand position, then the driving element 120 is raisedvia pin 18 of display poster 6, so that the latter remains stationaryand further movement is possible of chain 119 with driving element 120.For this purpose a part 130 is provided fixed with a bevel 131 and isencountered by an extension 132 of driving element 120, in such a waythat element 120, including chain 119, is raised at this point. Part 130is shown in broken line form, in order to make it possible to see thedisplacing element 121.

As the revolving chain 119 carries two driving elements 120 and twodisplacing elements 121, during a revolution in each case twowindow-display posters are transported, so that a new picture appears inthe display planes following one revolution of chain 119.

In the case of a corresponding design of the system the driving elementand displacing element can also be shaped in such a way that, as afunction of the installation direction, a single component with a bevelcan be used both as the driving element and as the displacing element.

In the system according to FIG. 6 and in the other embodiments, twostorage zones 201,202 are provided, within which the window-displayposters 203 are movably mounted in the direction of arrows 206,207 bysuitable rails, whereof only rails 204,205 are diagrammatically shown inFIG. 6.

In each case three display posters can be located in one of the planes208,209, where they together form a picture. It is a function of the useof the inventive system, where the merely one side of the displayposters 203 is provided with corresponding displays or representations,so that in each case only one of the planes 209,208 is used as a displayplane, or alternatively the display posters are provided on both sideswith representations, so that the inventive system is observed from bothsides.

For transporting the display posters from one of the storage zones intothe display plane and vice versa, means 210,211,212,213 are provided,which are substantially the same. A description is merely givenhereinafter of means 211 as a representative of the further means. Theessential part of means 211 is a rail extending over the total length ofthe system according to FIG. 6 and which is formed from three partialrails 221,222,223. The central partial rail 222 is fixed to a frame 216carrying the complete system according to FIG. 6 and has the profileshown in cross-section in FIG. 6a. A guide element 226 of awindow-display poster 203 engages in the downwardly open groove 225.

The partial rails 221,223, which are adjacent to the storage zones aboutthe longitudinal axis thereof by means of suitable driving mechanisms227,228. A guide element 226 of a display poster 203 can be guided inthe angles formed by the spokes 229 of the cruciform profile. Onrotating the cruciform partial rail 221,223 by 90°, in each case onedisplay poster 203 is removed trom the storage zone 201 and transportedinto storage zone 202.

Various means can be provided for moving the window-display postersalong the rails, i.e. within the display plane. However, before goinginto detail in connection with these means, the function of the systemaccording to FIG. 6 will be explained.

The starting position is taken as that in which the three window-displayposters 231,232,233 are located in the display plane. For displaying anew picture firstly the display poster 233 is to be brought out of thedisplay plane into the storage zone 202. For this purpose the cruciformpartial rail 223 is rotated clockwise by 90°. In order to obtain abuffer action within the storage zones 201,202 making it possible toavoid the need for precise reciprocal matching of the movements throughthe rails in the vicinity of display plane 208 on the one hand and therails in the vicinity of display plane 209 on the other, the displayposters 203 are provided in one marginal area with spring elements234,235 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6b. Display poster 233 is movedinto storage zone 202 through the aforementioned rotation of partialrail 223 and in opposition to the tension of said springs. Then, throughthe subsequently explained transporting means, the display posters231,232 are moved within the display plane 209 in such a way that thedisplay poster 232 reaches the position previously occupied by displayposter 233 and display poster 231 reaches the central position.

As the next stage a further display poster 203 is brought out of thestorage zone 201 into the display plane by rotating the partial rail 221and a corresponding lower partial rail. Display poster 232 is then movedinto the storage zone 202 by rotating partial rail 223. This process isrepeated until posters 233,232,231 are in the storage zone 202 and thenew posters are in the display plane 209. A corresponding number ofposters 203 are brought simultaneously from the display plane 208 intostorage zone 201 and from storage zone 202 into display plane 208.

FIG. 7 shows in somewhat greater detail a detail of the system accordingto FIG. 6, in which one rail 204 guides the display posters 203 locatedin one storage zone. The guide element 226 of display posters 203 havecorresponding recesses 241 for this purpose. Of the window-displayposters located in a storage zone only two are shown, namely thatlocated in display plane 208 and whose guide elements 224 engage in rail210, and a further poster brought by rotating the rotary partial rail221 out of the storage zone and into the display plane 209. So that theguide element 226 can adapt to the angular position of the rotarypartial rail 221, the part of the guide element 226 engaging in therails is flexibly mounted, as is diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 7.

For moving the display posters 203 within the display planes 208,209spindles are provided in the longitudinal axes of rails 210,211,212, 213(FIG. 6) and are driven independently of the rotation of the rotarypartial rails.

During the further rotation of the partial rail 221 shown in FIG. 7, theupper part of the guide element 226 having a tooth system 243 passesinto the vicinity of spindle 242 and is consequently moved within thedisplay plane 209. If the poster has reached its intended position, theneither the drive of spindle 242 can be disconnected, or through acorresponding guidance of guide element 226 with a movement inopposition to the spring tension, the coupling between spindle 242 andtooth system 243 can be removed. Automatically uncoupling takes place,if a poster is brought from the display plane into a storage zone by acorresponding rotation of a rotary partial rail.

FIG. 8 shows part of the rotary rail 221 and spindle 242, whilst FIG. 9shows a guide element 226, whose tooth system 243 is adapted to thethread of spindle 242. Spindle 242 and rotary rail 221 are mounted at244. The not shown end of the rotary rail 221 is mounted in partial rail222. A gear 245,246 and an electric motor 247,248 are shown in FIG. 8 asdrive means for rail 221 on the one hand and spindle 242 on the other.

As a function of the particular requirements, it is also possible tomake only those parts of partial rails 221,223 (FIG. 6) rotary, whichface the guide elements 226 of the display posters in the storage zones.The intermediate parts of partial rails 221,223 can then be fixed in thesame way as partial rail 222.

With the aid of FIG. 10, which shows a system otherwise corresponding tothat of FIG. 6, a further example for a drive of the window-displayposters within the display planes will be explained. Thus, there is arevolving element 251, e.g. a chain or a toothed belt, which is guidedover two diagrammatically represented wheels 252,253, whereof one isdriven with the aid of a motor 254 and a gear 255. To the revolvingelement 251 is fixed a driver, which abuts against the edge of theposter 203 in the vicinity of partial rail 221 and moves it to theright. When the display poster 203 has reached its intended position,the driver 256 is tilted out of the display plane by a suitable bevel257 and can move a further poster during the next revolution of therevolving element. If no movement is required, then the drive means isdisconnected.

Both the drive means with the aid of a spindle and the drive meansexplained in conjunction with FIG. 10 can be provided in the vicinity ofone or both rails of the display planes 208,209, which depends on therequirements and the size relationships.

In the represented embodiments the window-display posters in the storagezones 201,202 are advanced by the posters introduced into said storagezones. However, this presupposes, that there is a certain minimum numberof posters in the system. However, to adapt the system to a given numberof posters, the length of the storage zones can be made variable and forthis purpose rails 204,205 can e.g. be made telescopic.

The drawings show the inventive system in such a way that the displayposters are moved horizontally in the display plane. However, theinventive system can also be set up on edge, so that the posters aremoved vertically in the display plane.

I claim:
 1. System for exchanging and storing window-display posters,wherein two storage zones (11, 12; 201, 201) are provided, in which thewindow-display posters (1 to 6; 41 to 44; 203) having substantiallyplanar opposite surfaces are mounted in movable manner at right anglesto their surfaces, wherein two planes (208,209) are adjacent to thestorage zones (11, 12; 201, 202) in which transportation of the displayposters (1 to 6; 41 to 44; 203) takes place between the storage zones(11, 12; 201, 202), at least one of the planes (208, 209) being providedfor displaying several display posters (1 to 6; 41 to 44; 203) andwherein means are provided for transporting the display posters (1 to 6;41 to 44; 203) into and out of planes (208, 209) and for guiding thedisplay posters (1 to 6; 41 to 44; 203) during movement within theplanes (208, 209), characterized in that the window-display posters (1to 6; 41 to 44; 203) each comprise at lest one spring element (10; 34,35) which acts at right angles to a surface of the respective displayposter and, in the case of several display posters located in a storagezone (11, 12; 201, 202), brings about a reciprocal repulsion of thedisplay posters.
 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe spring elements are formed by leaf springs (10).
 3. System accordingto claim 1, characterized in that for the transportation of thewindow-display posters (1 to 6; 41 to 44) on the latter are providedracks (21, 22; 51 to 54), which during transportation are in engagementwith pinions (26; 71 to 74) when the posters pass from the storage zonesinto the planes.
 4. System according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe means are formed by cams (27), which engage in recesses (34) ofwindow-display posters (1 to 6).
 5. System according to claim 4,characterized in that the cams (27) are provided on pinions (26), whichare arranged at the end regions of rails (14,15), which guide thedisplay posters (1 to 6) within the storage zones (11,12), that in eachcase one circular surface of the pinions (26) forms the extension of thesurface of rails (14,15) and that the display posters (1 to 6) aremovable on rails (14,15) by means of rollers (23).
 6. System accordingto claim 5, characterized in that the rollers (23) in each case have anall-round groove (34), which serves as a recess for the cam.
 7. Systemaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the cam (27) is adjustablein such a way that it only passes out of the pinion (26) for the givenrotation angle.
 8. System according to claim 3, characterized in thatmeans for engaging said racks with said pinions are formed by rotarydisks (60), whose shafts (65) are substantially parallel to the displayplane, that the rotary disks (60) are in each case provided with atleast one slot (61 to 64) emanating from the circumference and in whicha pinion (71 to 74) is arranged in such a way that a rack (51 to 54)arranged on the display poster (41 to 44) engages with the pinions (71to 74) on entering a slot (61 to 64).
 9. System according to claim 8,characterized in that the rotary disk (60) is rotatable in anintermittent manner.
 10. System according to claim 8, characterized inthat the pinions (71 to 74) in slots (61 to 64) have in each case aconical tooth system as well as a radial tooth system and in sameengages a bevel gear (75) mounted equiaxially with the rotary disk (60).11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that means(121,127,128) are provided which, during the movement of in each caseone display poster (1 to 6) within the display plane, move a furtherdisplay poster (1 to 6) located in the display plane into the storagezone (11,12).
 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in thatthe display posters (1 to 6) are bevelled on two facing edges in such away that during the movement of one display poster (6) within thedisplay plane a bevel (127) of said poster slides over the bevel (128)of the further poster (1) located in the display plane and the furtherposter (1) is moved into the storage zone (11).
 13. System according toclaim 12, characterized in that the display posters are provided withstops (18), in operative connection with displacing elements (121) anddriving elements (120), which are arranged on a revolving chain (119),and that the two displacing elements (121) and two driving elements(120) are arranged in alternating manner on the revolving chain (119).14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that the displacingelements (121) in each case have a bevel, which forms an acute anglewith the longitudinal direction of the chain (119) and is directed insuch a way that on reaching a stop (18) on the display poster, thedisplacing element (121) passes between chain (119) and stop (18). 15.System according to claim 13, characterized in that guide elements(126,130,131) are arranged in the vicinity of chain (119) in such a waythat there is a coupling and uncoupling between the displacing anddriving elements (120,121) and stops(18), that the guide elements are atleast partly formed by guide rails (126), through which the chain (119)is guided at least partly in sloping manner to the display plane, andthat further guide elements are formed by bevels (130,131), which raisethe driving elements (120) over stops (18).
 16. System according toclaim 9, characterized in that on each window display poster (1 to 6)and in each case on one edge (8,9) are provided two stops, particularlypins, whereby the pins (18) are located in the vicinity of one of thevisible surfaces of the display posters close to that corner which, onmoving the posters, is directed opposite to the movement directionwithin the display plane.
 17. System according to claim 16,characterized in that two stops, particularly pins (18) are provided ontwo facing edge (8,9) of each display poster.
 18. System according toclaim 1, characterized in that the means for transporting the displayposters comprise rotary rails (221, 223) with a cruciform cross-section.19. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotary rails(221,223), engage with two facing edges of the display posters (203) tobe transported.
 20. System according to claim 18, characterized in thaton two facing edges of the display posters (203) are provided guideelements (226) with a substantially triangular cross-section.
 21. Systemaccording to claim 19, characterized in that the guide elements (226)are resiliently constructed in the direction of the surface of thedisplay posters (203).
 22. System according to claim 18, characterizedin that two display posters (203) are arranged in juxtaposed mannerwithin one plane (208,209) and that the rotary rails (221,223) aresubdivided into in each case two successively arranged and independentlyrotatable partial rails (221,223).
 23. System according to claim 18,characterized in that in each case one of the planes (208,209) receivemore than two display posters (203) and that the rails are in each casesubdivided into several partial rails (221,222,223), the outer partialrails (221,223) being rotatable independently of one another and thecentral partial rail (222) does not rotate.
 24. System according toclaim 18, characterized in that spindles (242) are provided in thelongitudinal axes of the rails (221,222,223) and in the same engageguide elements (226) of display posters (203) provided withincorresponding tooth system (243).
 25. System according to claim 18,characterized in that for moving the display posters (203) within planes(208,209), at least one driver (256) per plane is provided and islinearly movable.
 26. System according to claim 1, characterized in thatfor the movable mounting of the display posters (1 to 6;203) in storagezones (11, 12; 201, 202) further rails are provided, which have atelescopic construction.